Legendary’ day for graduates

Wednesday

Jun 10, 2009 at 12:01 AMJun 10, 2009 at 10:15 AM

It’s been 4,380 days – give or take a day or two of course – since the Class of 2009 took their first steps into Burlington schools. On Sunday, June 7, their collective efforts finally paid off when they walked across the podium at Varsity Field and earned the right to declare themselves as Burlington High School graduates and alumni.

Bruce Coulter

It’s been 4,380 days – give or take a day or two of course – since the Class of 2009 took their first steps into Burlington schools. On Sunday, June 7, their collective efforts finally paid off when they walked across the podium at Varsity Field and earned the right to declare themselves as Burlington High School graduates and alumni.

The day was, said salutatorian Arjun Ughreja, “Legendary.”

Noting his memories of BHS were of dropped test tubes, grueling exams and procrastination; the latter bringing laughter from his classmates, Ughreja said the new graduates had yet to make any life-changing decisions.

“Until now, I think life has been just a giant playground with a perimeter fence to keep us inside. And this fence prevented us from making those big life-shaping choices because we could only settle for what was inside,” said Ughreja.

It is, he added, time for he and his fellow graduates to climb over the fence and explore the rest of the worlds’ playgrounds.

“Hopefully one day, each one of us will find a unique playground that will always be enjoyable and never boring.”

Citizens of the world

While the mood was generally light-hearted, Class Valedictorian Janet Chikofsky, a National Merit Scholar, offered a somber view of what lies ahead for graduates, but also noted there are brighter days ahead.

“How many of us will struggle to find summer jobs or will feel the strain of unemployment on our families as a result of the global economic recession? How many of our houses bear a flag or a colored ribbon in the window as a reminder of the constant hopes and fears we hold for our family members serving in Afghanistan or Iraq,” she asked. “The world we see from here is no longer confined to our town, our commonwealth, our nation. The new century holds terrifying international challenges: global warming, terrorism, persistent nuclear threats.

“But along with these we also see a world of new hopes, new rewards: advances in the fight against cancer and AIDS; new forms of energy; the tremendous potential of the Internet to open authoritarian states to democratic ideas.

Technology, she said, will lead the way to a better future, using a bit of humor make her point.

“Just think, for example, how many text messages have traveled across this field since I began this speech,” she said. As evidenced by the laughter of her classmates, she might well have been correct.

Chikofsky, noting the variety of cultures in Burlington, implored graduates to view the world from a global perspective.

“Walking through the halls of BHS, I hear Spanish, Cantonese, Tamil, Gujarati, among other languages,” she said. “Many of us have taken school trips to China, France, England, Italy, Greece, or Spain.

What the high school has given students, Chikofsky said, is just the beginning.

“This phrase, ‘go out into the world’ has a new meaning for our generation, for we are truly citizens of the world,” she said. “ The next part is up to us.”

Taking action

Abigail Simmons, the class essayist said high school seniors across the country were giving speeches similar to those being made at Varsity Field.

“But what makes Burlington’s Class of 2009 different is that our memories show our dedication to taking action,” she said. We do not merely wait for life to happen to us, we go out and we effect change in the world around us.

She ticked off a number of examples, such as the Students for Environmental Action, whose club was best known for not only for emptying recycle bins on the grounds, but also ensuring the paper was actually being recycled.

“At a time when the environment is such a big issue, it’s important to remember that we can make a difference, even if it’s as simple as recycling that soda can instead of throwing it away. And that is something we can carry out to all aspects of our lives. If something is important to you, get involved.

Simmons also cited the Class of 2009’s day of silence to show support for gays and lesbians.

“There are many ways to get involved in a cause you believe in and with our graduation, with us heading out into the wider world, now is an excellent opportunity,” she reminded her fellow graduates.

She, too, looked toward the future.

“We have five years until our class reunion, so let’s use our skills, express our beliefs and above all get involved to make some new memories,” she said.